"You can expect a slow but steady improvement in the overall situation. In terms of results that you get from talks, you can't have any immediate results because its a very complicated and sensitive area," he told reporters on the sidelines of two-day Annual convention of Indian Association of International Studies..

He was asked on the progress on talks between the two nations on the border issue during the visit of India's special envoy to China.

The Minister said that the two nations were moving in the right direction in a very sensible way and "its comforting for both the sides".

On reports of India freezing development assistance to Maldives following its government's decision to take over the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Male from GMR-led consortium, the minister denied any such development and said it was essentially a legal issue.

"I hope on behalf of India that it (assistance) will not all out be used by any fringe political group which has something to do with deterioration of relationship, which we value enormously on both sides.

"I am glad that the matter seems to be proceeding along those lines that there would not be any misuse of this for political purpose," he said.

The minister termed as "extremely sad" the suspicious death of an Indian-origin nurse, who was duped into transferring a hoax call that gave away information about pregnant Kate, Duchess of Cambridge's condition to Australian radio presenters.

"We don't know enough about it...Let's wait and see what exactly has happened and why it happened," Khurshid said.

On reports of Walmart allegedly bribing official to get entry into the country, he said "they are conducting an enquiry and we hope they would share the findings with us".